Chapter Sixteen

F lora swiped at another tear. She had been an emotional mess since she learned Lennox had reappeared because he had made a promise to her parents. She was a fool to fall for his seduction again. When would she ever learn? He had never meant for them to share a meaningful marriage. He had only meant to fulfill their parents' wishes for an arranged marriage. Was his plan to woo her back so they could present a united front to their parents while he continued with his mistress?

She refused to allow him or her brothers to force her back home. Flora was an independent miss who had learned how to take care of herself. She must get her emotions under control before she faced her family. She couldn’t allow them to see her distress. Nor would she give Lennox the satisfaction of believing she had fallen for him again.

After her brothers’ arrival yesterday, she had kept herself locked away in her bedchamber and ignored every attempt by her brothers to lure her into visiting with them. If she had wanted to see them, she would’ve contacted them when she returned to Scotland. However, she didn’t trust them any more than she trusted Lennox and her parents. Everyone had been privy to the false antics of Lennox’s courtship.

At least her husband and sister-in-law had the good sense not to bother her. However, their lack of response only had Flora sniffling again. Lennox didn’t even care enough to lie to her, which only showed he toyed with her affections for his benefit.

She had fallen into a restless slumber when she heard a commotion outside her door after nightfall. She never ventured near the door, even with the sound of hushed whispers in the hallway. Flora refused to acknowledge anyone in the townhome, except for the servants she had befriended. Instead, she rolled over and covered her head to block out the distraction.

Now she hoped to sneak away to the park to visit her friends without running into anyone. She had become well acquainted with Lennox’s schedule to know he would make himself scarce until that afternoon. Probably even longer just to avoid her brothers.

Flora opened the door a crack to peek along the hallway. When she noticed it was clear, she squeezed through the small opening. Opening the door any wider would cause it to squeak and alert everyone to her departure. She rushed belowstairs, keeping as quiet as possible. She had almost made a clean escape when her sister-in-law stepped out of the library and directly into Flora’s path. The ladies stopped and stared at each other with weary expressions.

“I do not see a valise. Are you stepping out for a spell?” Ailsa whispered.

Flora nodded, unsure how to react to Ailsa’s behavior.

“May I ask where you are going?”

Flora glanced around her to make sure they were alone. “To visit my friends at the park.”

Ailsa offered a smile of conspiracy. “Promise me you will be careful.”

“I promise,” Flora whispered in return.

Ailsa fluttered her hand, urging her to leave. “Enjoy yourself. When you return, I hope we can enjoy a friendly visit.”

“I would like that.”

Flora rushed away before anyone else appeared to stop her from leaving. She needed a breath of fresh air and her friends’ support, as well as their advice. In truth, she held no discontent with her sister-in-law. She had quite enjoyed their time after Ailsa married her brother. Perhaps Ailsa would be an ally in the disaster that had become her life.

It wasn’t until she had passed a few townhomes that Flora relaxed. She glanced over her shoulder to make sure nobody followed her. She couldn’t shake the sense that someone was watching her. Which was nonsense. Or was it? Flora paused and turned around in a slow circle. However, there was nothing out of the ordinary to cause any concern. In her opinion, the culprit who wrote the threatening letters had moved on since no one had received another threat. Or was she wrong? And the villain lay in wait for the opportunity to strike.

Flora quickened her pace until she reached the park and saw Vivian and Grace enjoying themselves on a bench. She envied their ability to move past their difficulties in life and find happiness. Each time happiness was within her grasp, Lennox stole it away with his lack of honesty. What made her vulnerable to a Scottish barbarian with a husky voice and mesmerizing eyes? One who turned her inside out with his seductive words and charming smile.

“Good morning, ladies,” Flora greeted her friends.

Grace smiled. “Welcome, Flora.”

Vivian narrowed her gaze. “What has Lord Hepburn done now?”

Flora blushed at Vivian’s inquisitive question. She should’ve asked, What liberties have you allowed Lord Hepburn? Because what hasn’t Lord Hepburn done would’ve been the more appropriate question.

Flora sat on the opposite bench and folded her hands in her lap, attempting to appear as prim and proper as ever. “Why, nothing.”

She visited the park to unburden her sorrows to her friends. Flora had allowed Lennox’s liberties because of her own foolishness. However, she didn’t want them to know how weak her morals were when faced with temptation.

Vivian harrumphed. “I believe the correct term in Scotland is bollocks.”

Sara appeared behind Flora, gasping. “Vivian.”

Grace chuckled. “You appeared at the perfect moment, dear Sara.”

Sara sat next to Flora. “How so?”

Grace swiveled her head between Vivian and Flora. “Because Vivian was about to call out Flora’s standoffish behavior.”

Sara frowned at Flora, who squirmed under her friends’ attention. “Is something amiss, Flora?”

Flora smoothed a hand along her new frock, avoiding eye contact. “All is well.”

Grace snickered. “Let me be the second to call bollocks.”

“Grace,” Sara reprimanded. “The children are nearby to overhear. Please refrain from your vulgarity.”

Grace waved a hand to hush Sara’s lecture. “Those children have heard much worse from Calum and Calum’s brother, Cameron.”

“Perhaps, but Sara’s charge has not.” Vivian patted Sara’s hand. “We apologize. We promise to refrain from any more obscenities.”

Sara nodded in acceptance.

Vivian arched an eyebrow. “Now perhaps our friend will share what troubles her. If she does not, then my husband and I will pay a visit later to see if Lord Hepburn is paying you the proper respect.”

Flora sighed. “Always the tyrant, dear Vivian.”

“I must be to protect my friends when needed.”

Flora’s lips lifted in what some would call a smile and others would call a frown. “Even if the friend was foolish and failed to recognize her husband charmed her because he made someone else a promise?”

Grace growled. “Why, that cheating—”

Flora held up a hand to stop Grace’s tirade. “Not with another lady but with my parents.”

“Please explain,” Vivian requested.

“My brothers arrived yesterday, along with Lennox’s sister, who is married to my eldest brother. During the commotion their arrival caused, they revealed the truth of Lord Hepburn’s reappearance in my life. It would seem he promised my parents he would secure my return, and like a fool, I fell for his charms and believed he returned for himself. Actually, his false words and actions were only the means to project an image of a loving couple.”

“Perhaps you are mistaken,” Sara suggested.

Flora scoffed. “Nay.”

“Did you give Lord Hepburn a chance to explain?” Vivian asked.

“What is there to explain? His reaction showed the honesty of my brother’s declaration.”

“What else happened?” Grace asked.

Flora bit her bottom lip to keep the tears from spilling. “I allowed him to woo me with his seductive charms again.”

“Oh dear.” Vivian rose and wrapped her arm around Flora.

Sara grabbed Flora’s hand and squeezed it. Even though her friends offered their loving support, it didn’t ease the heartache of Lennox’s betrayal. She thought the magical evening they had shared was a fresh start to something amazing between them, only for it to vanish when their family appeared. How could she trust him when he didn’t even attempt to defend himself?

Flora sniffed. “He never even tried to explain.”

Grace nodded off to the distance. “Perhaps that is his intention now.”

Flora turned to see her husband entering the park and heading in her direction. His long strides ate up the distance too fast for her comfort. Her husband appeared as if he were on a mission.

Vivian winced. “What happened to his face?”

“’Tis the result of my brothers’ greeting.”

Grace whistled softly. “It looks like it was most brutal.”

“Aye,” Flora agreed.

Flora was unable to respond with more detail because her husband’s arrival flustered her beyond reason. Her gaze darted around the park for a place to escape to. She wished to avoid a scene. However, the overcrowded park made it impossible to hide.

Vivian whispered, “If you wish, I can stall Lord Hepburn while Grace helps your escape.”

Vivian’s offer was tempting to accept, but she must resist. She refused to run from her troubles any longer. She would face the music, no matter how depressing it might be. However, it didn’t mean she had to lower the walls she had erected around her heart since yesterday. Flora would stay firm and not fall for any more of Lennox’s charm.

“’Tis unnecessary. But thank you for your kind offer.”

Flora rose when Lennox reached them. She didn’t wait for him but walked away to put distance between her and her friends. She didn’t want to subject her friends to their unpleasant conversation. They had dealt with enough drama in their lives over the past few months. She would spare them from listening to a marital spat, especially when tempers would flare once she and Lennox provoked each other.

She listened to him greet her friends and then offer his apologies before he continued after her. Flora couldn’t help but smile at how he bumbled his words in his attempt to be polite to her friends while trying to hurry to catch up with her.

It served him right.